Pep Guardiola believes Phil Foden is more influential for Manchester City than ever before after scoring a hat-trick on Monday.
The England midfielder scored three times in a single Premier League game for the second time in his career to dispatch Brentford in a 3-1 win at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Foden has been a key figure for Man City this season, starting 20 of 23 league games this season while contributing eight goals and seven assists.
Guardiola marvelled at his ability to cut through defences “like a knife” after the visitors struggled to break down Thomas Frank’s backline until Foden scored on the stroke of half time.
“In terms of how he moves in small spaces, I’ve seen many players [who are] really good but the impact from Phil when he gets the ball there, he can score,” the Catalan said after the game.
“The feeling that he can shoot or make an assist, it’s difficult to find this combination to move in the pockets and after be like a knife and be so aggressive and score goals. I’ve seen few.
“Phil is having his most influence on the team. He’s reading the game really well, how he can play simple and be more aggressive. He always has the pleasure to score goals and the threat when he is close to the 18-yard box.
“He is an exceptional player. A short age, already more than 250 games for City. That means the influence since he arrived.”
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